Even extroverts and closet introverts can benefit from many of these interview secrets. Introverts often feel especially challenged by an interview as any out of the ordinary communication can be worrisome. Given the level of importance attached to an interview, it may really ramp up nervousness and keep them from performing their best. If you are an introvert or want to perform your best during an upcoming interview – apply these interview secrets for a stellar performance.

1. INTERVIEW TIPS FOR INTROVERTS
Mary Sherwood Sevinsky,
MS, CCM, CDMS

2. About me…
• Mary Sherwood, MS, CDMS, CCM
Occupational Consultant
• www.about.me/marysevinsky
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• My Blog: www.JobSearchForTheRestOfUs.com
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• Careerealism

3. Shy, quiet, reserved?
• Given the level of importance attached to
an interview, it may really ramp up
nervousness and keep introverts from
performing their best.
• If you are an introvert or want to perform
your best during an upcoming interview –
apply these interview secrets for a stellar
performance.

4. Over Do it!
• Practice
• Practice
• Prac....well, you get the idea.
• Over preparing will give you a sense of
mastery that can calm your nerves and
improve your self-confidence and
performance.

5. Know it inside and out…
• Know the company, job, your resume and your career
goals inside and out.
• Write out the questions and answers you want to practice
and edit them with a critical eye to get started.
• Then practice with someone else playing the employer,
even if it is only on the phone.
• Before the interview do a dress rehearsal in your
interview attire and in person if possible.
• If you can afford it engage a professional – it is well worth
the investment. If not, practice with someone whose
opinion and perceptiveness you trust.

6. So Noted.
• Prepare notes that you can refer to
unobtrusively during an interview.
• Don’t write in full sentences and keep your notes
to the top page of your page.
• Leave plenty of space to jot notes in a different
color ink so that they are easy to pick out.
• You can write questions for the employer on the
next page.

7. Dress for success!
• Wear comfortable, suitable clothes. Think about
the setting and your personal style and kick up your
attire one more notch.
• Make sure that your clothing fits you well and is
comfortable to wear sitting, standing and walking.
• Ask someone elses opinion.
• If you are an introvert you will already be nervous
enough – no need to add to it by allowing your mind
to stray toward your outfit!

8. Visit the interview site
• Visit the location early so you can visualize the
setting.
• This will also ensure that you know about any
construction or other anomalies that may
impact your arrival time with a calm, cool,
demeanor.
• If it is a public location a quick reconnaissance
will provide additional information to increase
your comfort level and limit any fears that can
be fed by the unknown.

9. Take a deep breathe
• Breathe instead of saying um, uh, etc. As
an introvert, you may get most nervous
when you have to speak in a public or
unique situation – such as an interview!
• Instead of filling the silence with random
syllables, breathe in.
• Focus on breathing in once then out while you think.

10. Strike a pose….
• As introverts (or even extroverts!) we sometimes worry
that the interviewer will wonder if we have “spaced
out” or “lost it” if it takes too long to speak.
• If you have a pose you normally strike when thinking (a
hand on your chin?) do that. Or, you can rephrase the
question while culling your mind for the perfect words.
• Sometimes, the introverts I work with feel comfortable
saying something like, “ That is a good question, I am
processing that as we speak!” A combination can also
be employed, of course.

11. Smile!
• Really – remind yourself to smile!
• Take the interview seriously, by all means, but show
your humanity as well.
• A recent introverted client became comfortable and
successfully sharing the fact that he is introvert during
the interview.
• It works really well as a prelude to your answer to,
“What is something you have to work on?” or
weakness.

12. Keep your answers positive.
• There is no need to provide anything but the best of your
best during the interview.
• Unless asked specifically about a weakness or a project
that has gone wrong, keep your mouth shut.
• Even then, always put a positive spin on things and
highlight what you have learned and how good you have
become at planning and avoiding x,y,z.
• If you are introverted, you may be harder on yourself
than anyone else. The last thing you want is to give your
mind something to gnaw on while you try to be “in the
moment” during an interview.

13. Ask questions.
• In order to avoid an interview feeling like an
inquisition, ask questions.
• Approach the interview as if it were a conversation:
You listen, you respond, you interact and the
interviewer does the same.
• If you can nudge the interview in this direction you
will feel a lot more confident and comfortable than if
the interviewer is asking all the questions!

14. Watch your body language.
• Leaning forward shows that you are interested and
alert.
• Crossing anything sends the message that you are
closed off and negative.
• Leaning back in your chair may give the impression
that you don’t care or are arrogant.
• Be careful not to fidget, doodle or make faces while
the interviewer is speaking or you are thinking.

15. Jot a note.
• When you are safely out of site, but before you
get home write some notes about anything you
might:
• Want to include in a thank you note
• Ask in follow up or next interview
• Or could improve on the next time you interview
for a job or need to speak in a public or unusual
situation!

16. Resources for possible interview questions
and/or answers:
• Articles in my blog
• Articles on CAREEREALISM
• Articles on the Web
• Need more help? Chat, Email, Skype, Hangout
Click here for email
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Skype Mary.E.Sherwood
• PS I also wanted to let you know about a new job search group
I just started on LinkedIn, it would be great to have you and
please share with your connections … If you are currently
employed you might want to “hide” this group on your Profile;
click here if you need help with that! Take care, Mary